FIREFIGHTERS worked through the night to extinguish a barn fire at Langton Matravers.

Crews from Hamworthy, Swanage and Poole were in attendance on Tuesday evening with relief crews from Poole and Bere Regis working through the night to damp down.

The cause of the blaze is still unknown.

At the fire's height, around 30 firefighters were at the scene of the fire on Spyway Farm, off Spyway, in between Langton Matravers and Swanage.

Residents were advised to keep their doors and windows shut due to fears over asbestos.

Crews from from Swanage, Wareham and Westbourne Fire Stations attended along with two specialist appliances.

Firefighters allowed the fire to burn out under their supervision while also protecting nearby properties with the use of hose reel jets.

Yesterday, Sean Frampton, temporary group manager from Poole Fire Station, said: “The barn is around 15 metres by 30 metres in size, and it is filled with straw and hay, which was being stored ready for the winter.

“We are in the process of protecting the other barns, one of which contains a number of cattle, and another building which contains the milking parlour.

“At this stage, there is no risk to the cattle, and we have set about using damp twigs and leaves to dampen down the area, to reduce the risk of the fire spreading.

“The barn has an old-style asbestos-type roof, so we are advising residents to keep their doors and windows closed, and to stay indoors, if possible, to reduce the chance of smoke getting into their homes.

“We also have Dorset Police travelling around Langton Matravers advising people to follow this instruction.

“We are letting the fire burn, so that we do not contaminate any water courses, and we have the Environment Agency assisting us the best way for the water to drain away.

“The fire has so far reduced down by around one third from around two hours ago, when I got here around two hours ago.

“I believe it may be another two to three hours, before the fire is completely out.

“The farmer here is going to assist us with the use of his tractor to help move things so that we can ensure the fire is out.”

An investigation is now being carried out by Dorset Fire and Rescue Service to establish the cause of the fire.

Fire crews from Swanage and Wareham were called to the scene at 10.25am.